DARREN CROSS (GERLING / JEP & DEP)

Darren "D.C" Cross is an Australian guitarist and storyteller forging a distinct, landscape-driven musical identity. Blending the influence of 1960s and 70s American Primitive and British folk mainstays—like John Fahey, Leo Kottke, Elizabeth Cotten, Nick Drake, and Bert Jansch—he brings an adventurous, hypnotic perspective to instrumental acoustic guitar. He is a fiercely independent DIY artist who books his own shows, manages, records, produces, designs, and operates his own label, No Drums Records.

Across a 25-year career with 17 albums released since 1998, Cross has created music across various projects including his solo work, Gerling, and Jep and Dep. He has written songs with diverse creators from Kool Keith to Kylie Minogue and shared stages with international and local heavyweights including Beastie Boys, Beck, Happy Mondays, Johnny Marr, Courtney Barnett, Ryley Walker, Will Oldham, Marissa Anderson, The Apartments, and Jim White.

Cross maintains an extensive touring footprint across regional Australia and international circuits, having completed a 6-week, 19-show tour across Germany, France, and Belgium, as well as serving as the main support for Ed Kuepper's East Coast Australian tour. His live performances suit everything from major concert halls to intimate, deep-listening art spaces, with recent dates at the City Recital Hall, Art Gallery of NSW, People's Republic, and The Red House. Known for pairing intricate fingerstyle guitar with engaging storytelling, he delivers a captivating and intimate live set.